Barelang Bridge Cable-Iron Theft Suspect Arrested, Rp400 Million Loss

JAKARTA - The Batam City Police, Rempang Galang (Barelang), Riau Islands, has uncovered a case of theft and destruction of public facilities on the Barelang 1 Bridge which resulted in state losses of around Rp. 400 million.

Acting Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Barelang Police, AKPAde Putra, emphasized that the Barelang Police would take firm action against any perpetrators who damage or steal state assets, especially public service facilities that concern the public's interests.

"Destruction of public facilities not only causes material losses, but also has the potential to endanger public safety. We are committed to taking firm action against any perpetrators," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 4.

He explained that the investigation began with the viral video of the theft of the Barelang Bridge 1 cable on social media at the end of July 2026.

Then, the Kepri National Road Implementation Office through the reporter with the initials DD reported the incident to the Sagulung Police on August 1, 2026.

The Jatanras team of the Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Unit together with the Sagulung Police Criminal Investigation Unit then secured two people in the Aceh Village area, Batam, on the same day, consisting of an adult man with the initials TS (38) and a child with the initials CH (11).

"TS is known to have stolen cables and iron four times, which are government facilities. The stolen goods were sold to the dealer, BLM, who was previously also detained in the case of the cable tower," said Ade.

As a result of the action, the Riau Islands BPJN suffered a loss of around IDR 300 million, while the Batam City Culture and Tourism Office suffered a loss of around IDR 100 million.

The police also seized a number of evidence in the form of a machete, cable pieces, cable protection pipe, pieces of iron fence, and the motorcycle used by the perpetrator.

For his actions, TS was charged with Article 477 paragraph (1) letters f and g and/or Article 522 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code regarding theft with a charge and/or destruction of public service facilities with a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

This disclosure is part of the police's commitment to safeguarding state assets while protecting one of the tourist icons and strategic infrastructure of Batam City.

Ade also appealed to the public to immediately report if they knew of criminal acts or suspicious activities through the 110 Polri service so that they could be immediately followed up to maintain the security and safety of public facilities in Batam City.